“We have to stay humble. We play them in two weeks again, so then we have a new series,” Bristedt said.

Minnesota bounced back from a pair of early deficits to take control during a three-goal second period. Penn State, having posted a season-low 29 shots a night prior in a 5-1 loss, finished with 40 on net Saturday.

Minnesota forwards twice were able to clear pucks off the line to save potential Nittany Lions goals, helping out sophomore goalie Eric Schierhorn, who finished with 38 saves.

“It just shows it’s a team effort. Sometimes my first effort isn’t good enough,” Schierhorn said. “I think I said it last weekend. That’s how a team works. I bail them out, and sometimes they bail me out.”

Bristedt accomplished his hat trick with goals — his ninth, 10th and 11th this season — that were short-handed, on the power play and at even strength, respectively.

The Stockholm, Sweden, native’s first came when Minnesota was on the penalty kill. Trailing 1-0 after an Alec Marsh goal, Bristedt made the play happen by himself. He lifted the stick of a defender, took the puck and tied the score by sliding the puck through the legs of Penn State goaltender Peyton Jones.

The Nittany Lions retook the lead when Chase Berger fed David Goodwin in front of the net 41 seconds into the second period, but the game turned when Penn State’s Zach Saar was called for a 10-minute misconduct. Minnesota found its groove with two goals in just over a minute.

Brent Gates Jr. tied the score with his 12th goal of the season. Taylor Cammarata followed up with a goal, crashing the net to put home a Jack Ramsey rebound. Cammarata returned the favor toward the end of the period, feeding Bristedt to give the Gophers a 4-2 lead after two periods.

“We thought Penn State would come out with tremendous push. I thought they played really hard tonight,” said Minnesota coach Don Lucia. “I’m really happy with some of our seniors. I thought Taylor Cammarata and Connor Reilly played well.”

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